Corzine 'showing improvement,' still on ventilator

Gov. Jon Corzine's breathing has improved and he has been answering medical staff questions by nodding his head, spokesman Anthony Coley said tonight.

"Governor Corzine remains in critical but stable condition," Coley said. "He is showing improvement from a respiratory perspective and is breathing over the ventilator."

Corzine has been sedated and has had a breathing tube inserted into his throat since he was Medevaced to Cooper University Hospital in Camden following a crash Thursday on the Garden State Parkway. He has had three surgeries to repair his broken thigh bone and a six-inch gash the break made in his left leg and is taking pan medication. He also has 11 broken ribs, a broken sternum and a fractured verterbra.

"The governor is able to answer physician and nursing staff questions with head nods. He continues to receive bedside physical therapy and is being closely monitored for any complications. There are no signs of any at this time," Coley said..